The scene at Don Meaung airport immigration last night, 1am:
People being turned away, left, right and centre! I was in line next to a guy in a wheelchair that got turned away.... Too many tourist visas in passport. He was told to get the right visa for long term stay in Thailand. He pleaded that he had family in Thailand.. Not given entry to Thailand.
There was a small but fiercely aggressive woman (immigration official) marching and barking between the lines, routing people out. Most of the officials behind the desks were woman, with the most miserable, gloom and doom expressions on their faces.
Absolutely TERRIFYING experience, seeing that I've been turned away before. That time I was forced to go all the way back to South Africa (4 days on a plane because I'd just flown in from Sweden). No other option. I was treated like a criminal, escorted all the way and passport only returned to me when I landed in South Africa.
Terrifying because I had just gone to Bali on a week's holiday and had left all my luggage and years worth of saving from working in Myanmar in Thailand (currently between contracts and holidaying around S.E Asia).
I don't like visiting Thailand anymore, the entrance is just too scary 😢
No advice needed here, just a warning to those with long term stays in Thailand on multiple 30 day entry stamps.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A recent experience at Don Meaung airport illustrated the harsh realities of entering Thailand, especially for travelers with multiple tourist visas. A traveler recounted witnessing individuals, including a man in a wheelchair, being turned away due to having too many tourist visa stamps. The immigration officials displayed aggressive behavior, instilling fear in those in line. The traveler described their own traumatic experience of being denied entry in the past, leading to a reluctance to visit Thailand again. The post serves as a warning for expats and travelers about the risks associated with multiple short-term entries into Thailand.
